3 easy cuts that can save Commanders $15 million in cap space
By Jerry Trotta
It’s tough to put into words how important this offseason is for the Washington Commanders. The quarterback search is one thing — the only thing for most fans — but the front offie will be pressed to fill out other roster holes, too.
On the surface, Washington could use an influx of talent at wide receiver, middle linebacker, safety and offensive guard. It also wouldn’t hurt to add a veteran edge rusher behind Chase Young and Montez sweat, and maybe a proven runner to lessen Antonio Gibson’s workload after he logged 258 carries this year.
That’s easier said than done, obviously, but the Commanders are equipped with the requisite cap space ($30.35 million, according to Spotrac) to make it happen. Should that sum prove to not be enough, Ron Rivera and Co. could always look to cut bait with certain players to add more money to the pot.
With that in mind, here are three easy cuts the Commanders could make to save over $15 million in cap space this offseason.
How the Commanders can save $15 million in cap space
3. Deshazor Everett
We actually had considered Everett for this list before Tuesday’s news. If you haven’t heard, Washington’s special teams captain was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the December car crash that killed his girlfriend.
According to the Loudon’s County Sheriff Department, the vehicle came off the right side of the roadway, collided with several trees and rolled over. The investigation found that Everett was driving over twice the 45 mph speed limit prior to the crash.
A former undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M, Everett was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list a day after the accident and figures to be a potential cut candidate in the coming days. Should the Commanders exercise that right, his release would save the team just over $2 million in cap space.
Getting beyond Everett’s legal matter, cutting him would actually make sense from a football standpoint. While he’s a core special teamer, he’s become an afterthought on defense. Over the last four seasons, the 29-year-old has played just 18.4% of the snaps, including just 40 reps this past campaign.
At this point, it’s hard to envision Everett playing football in 2022. For that reason, it might be in Washington’s best interest to move on.
The only other viable cut options for the Commanders other than the next two players to follow are Cole Holcomb, who would save them $2.54 million, Tress Way ($1.276 million) and Wes Schweitzer ($4.82 million).
Holcomb isn’t going anywhere after the season he just turned in. If anything, he’s closer to an extension than getting cut. Way is still one of the most underrated punters in the league, and Schweitzer could play a prominent role in 2022 with Brandon Scherff likely leaving in free agency.
Beyond that group, Washington would be scraping the barrel with names like Khaleke Hudson ($816,849), Jeremy Reaves ($965,000) and Corn Elder ($895,000). Let’s be honest. Those figures really don’t move the needle.